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Russia renewed for finals
Despite their impressive home form and a team including a
number of members who have played at the highest level, Russia
needed a play-off to reach the finals of UEFA EURO 2004™,
squeezing out Wales 1-0 over two legs.
Four-goal tallies
Russia put four goals past the Republic of Ireland, Albania
and Group 10 winners Switzerland at home, but were forced
into runners-up spot by some disappointing results on their
travels, losing in both Albania and Georgia.
Undisputed first choice
Sergei Ovchinnikov is the undisputed first-choice in goal
although, when the FC Lokomotiv Moskva man was ruled out of
the second leg of the play-off through suspension, debutant
Vyacheslav Malafeev of FC Zenit St. Peterburg proved a capable
deputy.
Lokomotiv pairing
The key figures in front of goal are captain Viktor Onopko,
who is partnered in central defence by Ovchinnikov's Lokomotiv
team-mate Sergei Ignashevitch. The 24-year-old has grown in
stature as time wears on, and has benefited hugely from a
second successive UEFA Champions League campaign with his
club.
Full-back roles
A number of players filled in at full-back during the qualifying
campaign, with Lokomotiv pair Dmitri Sennikov and Vadim Evseev
the favoured duo as the qualifying campaign drew to an end,
although coach Georgi Yartsev has a wide variety of other
options.
Defensive midfield
In midfield, Aleksei Smertin is the fulcrum, as he operates
in a holding position in front of the defence. The remainder
of the midfield frequently alters, with former captain Yegor
Titov, Aleksandr Mostovoi, Dmitri Loskov and Vladislav Radimov
contesting the playmaker's role, while Dmitri Alenichev's
versatility means he can either play in the centre or on the
left.
Numerous options
Marat Izmailov is occasionally used, either as a winger or
in a more advanced role, while Rolan Gusev is a regular on
the right and Andrei Kariaka also appeared on the other flank,
giving the coach a number of options.
Contrasting strikers
Dmitri Bulykin is the preferred choice up front, as his height
makes him a threat to any defence. He is joined by either
Aleksandr Kerzhakov or Dmitri Sytchev, both pacy and more
creative players who combine well with Bulykin's aerial prowess.
Winning start
Russia had seemed to be well-placed to secure automatic qualification
from the group, having got their campaign off to the perfect
start with a 4-2 win against Ireland in Moscow, following
up with a 4-1 success against Albania.
Successive defeats
However, their chances were undermined by a 3-1 defeat in
Tirana in the reverse fixture, and an unexpected 1-0 loss
in Georgia further jeopardised their hopes. Perhaps the turning
point of their campaign came in Basel, as two early goals
from Alexander Frei put Switzerland in command, but two second-half
strikes from Ignashevitch earned Russia a point. A different
coach was at the helm for the next qualifier, with Valeri
Gazzaev resigning after a 2-1 friendly defeat by Israel in
August 2003 and Yartsev appointed on a temporary basis.
Decisive draw
The change did not have any negative impact on the side, as
Ignashevitch struck again in Dublin to enable the visitors
to take a crucial 1-1 draw from their trip to Ireland, before
Switzerland - who went on to win the section - were dismantled
4-1 in Moscow, with Bulykin announcing his arrival on the
international stage with a sensational hat-trick.
Headed winner
A 3-1 against Georgia in their final qualifier secured a play-off
place for Russia and, although they were held to a goalless
draw in the first leg in Moscow, Evseev's first-half header
in Cardiff proved the only goal of the tie.
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